Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
Fishers Event Center 11000 Stockdale St. Fishers, IN 46037
Year Opened: 2024 Capacity: 7,500
Indy's New Home for Hockey in Fishers
In November 2024, the Indy Fuel opened a new home, the Fishers Event Center. The $170 arena has a capacity of 7,500 for hockey. It is part of a $650 million project that features apartments, office space, a hotel and restaurant, and retail space in the northwest suburb of Fishers, Indiana, 12 miles from the team’s former home at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
The Fuel began operations in the ECHL in 2014 at the renovated Indiana Farmers Coliseum, formerly the Pepsi Coliseum. The first professional hockey teams debuted in 1939 at the old barn and, up until November 2022, saw various clubs in the International and American Hockey Leagues. With the construction of the Fishers Event Center, a new era of hockey began in the Indianapolis market that should have a lasting impact for years.
Food & Beverage 4
The Fishers Event Center offers multiple food and beverage spots on the first and second floors. The Fuel Zone locations offer fans grab-and-go options for food and beverages. Customers pick up their items and pay for them with their credit card. There are a few kiosks where cheesesteaks and supreme nachos are prepared to order.
The arena’s food court is divided into two sections: District Eats for quick bites like freshly made burgers and pizza held individually under warmers, and District Drinks for refreshing beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Other items include giant-sized brats, barbecue pork sandwiches, ham and cheese kolaches, burgers, and hot dogs. Kickin’ Chicken prepares fried chicken and pork tenderloin sandwiches in front of customers for their sandwiches.
There is plenty to wash down all the food with Coke products, beer, wine, hard seltzers and ciders, and mixed cocktails. The historic railyard of the town inspires the Railyard Pub. The elevated bar offers packaged beers and signature cocktails: Kentucky lemonade, margaritas, and Moscow mules.
The local beers include Full Day Ray, Sun King, and King Jugg varieties, within 3 miles of the arena. King Jugg makes the official Black Dog Indy Fuel Ale. All of the beer comes by the can and is available in the grab-and-go from the refrigerators.
Atmosphere 4
The atmosphere at The FEC for Fuel game is lively and engaging. Fans have an open view from a majority of the second level above the seating bowl. It is phenomenal, noting that games are enjoyable even for those who may not typically follow hockey.
The sleek and modern design of the building, most notably its sound system and wide open concourses, is impressive. The seating bowl is near capacity, the aisles are packed during intermission, and when a goal is scored, the entire building cheers in unison.
The venue features a standard four-screen scoreboard that is basic compared to others across the ECHL. Nitro, the team’s official mascot, walks around the concourse, providing photo opportunities to all fans, young and old. The Garage Team Shop on the first floor for merchandising needs.
The arena features a premium club and suites on the west side and large club seating on the southeast corner of the upper concourse. There are also two bars on opposite ends of the arena: The North Club Market and the Nickle Plate Market. Fans enjoy a drink or two during intermission or take a break from the action during the game.
The bag policy includes clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC. It does not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”. Bags cannot be tinted with color or include oversized content that prevents visibility into the clear bag. Only non-clear bags that are smaller than 4.5” x 6.5” will be permitted into the stadium. Any type of non-clear bag exceeding 4.5” x 6.5” in size will not be allowed.
Overall, attending an Indy Fuel game at the Fishers Event Center promises an exciting and memorable experience with a vibrant atmosphere that appeals to both dedicated hockey fans and newcomers.
Neighborhood 4
The FEC is in Fishers, Indiana, off of I-69. The arena is within a 15-minute walk to The Yard at Fishers District, which features a variety of restaurants and bars. They include quick bites such as Shake Shack, Chicken Salad Chick, Torchy’s Tacos, and Bibibop Asian Grill. However, if desiring a little more ambiance, the 1933 Lounge, The HC Tavern and Kitchen, and Sangiovese Ristorante are fine choices. Sun King Brewery is located at The Yard and includes The Fishers Test Kitchen, local chef-inspired cuisine, and rotating test concepts.
A few blocks across the interstate are a few more choices, including Full Day Ray Restaurant and Brewery, Parks Place Pub, and King Jugg Brewery. Indiana’s only IKEA and Top Golf locations are within eye-sight of the arena, along with Portillo’s, a spot for iconic Chicago food: Italian beef, Vienna beef hot dogs, sandwiches, and ribs.
Fans 5
The arena has had three sell-outs at the time of this writing, and the building is much louder than its predecessor at The Fairgrounds. Fans pay attention to the action on the ice, cheer at the right time, and celebrate every goal scored by moving their arms up and down in unison.
Access 4
Like its predecessor, fans cannot walk around the upper concourse, as the premium club and suites take up the majority of the western portion of the building. Fans enter from the ground floor and access staircases to the upper concourse. There is enough room to walk around, but it narrows out at the North Club Market bar area. There are a few standing-room-only spots towards the northern part of the concourse that have slightly obstructed views of the ice.
The parking situation is interesting, guests have the option to prepay online or pay during the event, eliminating the need for gates and minimizing traffic congestion. There is signage where fans can scan a code to access the website and pay $10 or $20 depending on location.
Most of the concession stands are grab-n-go that provide easy access in and out for customers. When purchasing a beer, staff members open up your cans at the point of purchase. The longest lines are for the cheesesteak and nacho kiosks, where items are made in order.
Return on Investment 4
Ticket prices begin at $24 on the team’s website, while parking is $10 in the general admission lot and $20 in the VIP lots closer to the arena's entrance. Menu prices include $6 for a hot dog to $13 for a chicken sandwich with a fry basket. Macro beers are $10, and microbrews are $13. The team shop offers plenty of merchandise: jerseys, caps, t-shirts, and hockey pucks.
Ticket prices are slightly higher compared to division rivals in Toledo and Fort Wayne but on par with Cincinnati. Weekend games will produce larger crowds and more bang for your buck in the atmosphere, while weekday evening games will have a smaller, yet still boisterous, crowd.
Extras 3
The FEC earns a point for convenience with its parking fees, freshly made chicken sandwiches at the Kickin’ Chicken stand, and sensory kits for fans with sensory sensitivities.
Final Thoughts
The Fishers Event Center is an ideal palace for watching hockey. The open views, easy access to food and beverage, and modern comforts provide a close-to-perfect experience for hockey and non-hockey fans.
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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com
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